Using heat from a compost heap

[squarenut9]

I'm not sure which department this subject should appear in so I took a lucky dip.

Has anybody out there in the big wide UK used compost to generate heat to, say, generate the primary heat for the hot water cylinder or even rads?

I have access to huge amounts of compost/ manure (goat & sheep crap).

What got me thinking was one day a few months ago I borrowed the work therm-probe and dug down about a foot into the existing manure pile we have to check the temperature. To my amazement the heat was 57 degrees. When I got back inside I filled the washing up bowl with water to the same temperature and I can't believe how warm it is.

I have travelled the WWW and all you end up with is these firms trying to sell you stuff with their pokey little pop up ads. What I want is somebody who has actually carried out such a project using bog-standard stuff like you will find in Wickes or B&Q's or the usual trade wholesalers. Stuff like how far it was from the house, what hose/ pipe, pump/ heat exchanger was used. Any BTU calc's (in Janet & John language)

Any links, info will be gratefully received.

Thankyou

 

[RedHerring2]

Doesn't the compost heap need that heat to kill any pathogens?
If you cool it down too much it may not be a compost heap anymore.

 

[thatbloke]

The compost heap would not be able to generate the heat quickly enough.
Why not just build your house ontop of it?

 

[toasty]

Have a look on the Navitron forums.

There is a guy there who's building a thermal store from hay bales, not exactly the same as you, but most of the ideas should be applicable.

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,11692.0.html

Cheers
Dan